Expert horse racing betting tips for Saturday, November 8th 2025

It's another busy weekend of racing up and down the UK. It's Badger Ales Day at Wincanton, the Grand National fences are being run at Aintree, and the November Handicap is closing the flat season off at Doncaster.

Our Punters Panel are back to give their thoughts on what is certain to be a superb weekend of horse racing!

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the five experts answering our key questions this week:

SD - The self-proclaimed ‘star of the show’ on Races Now, who has been going viral with his daily tips and betting ring analysis over the past year.

Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.

Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors, currently working in the industry.

Daniel Weatherill - Frequent Northern racegoer and passionate gambler. Stood in as Races Now's cameraman during Glorious Goodwood.

Joe O'Donnell - Racing lover and long-time Races Now viewer and supporter.

What is your best bet for Badger Ales day at Wincanton?

SD: A downright desperate renewal of the feature race. Gustavian hasn’t been close in the past, but this is very weak, and he may go close.⁠

AS: Two runners in a Grade 2 hurdle last week, four runners in a Grade 2 hurdle this week. Good stuff. I'd take Threeunderthrufive in the Badger Beers (3:30), with market rival Art Of Diplomacy stepping into deep waters here.

HF: In the 3:30, Art Of Diplomacy, was going well on the attempt for the six-timer last time when falling. This is a horse clearly on the up and doesn’t look like he’s done going up in the weights to me. He has had nearly a month off to freshen up and can use the race fitness to his advantage over the rest of this field.

DW: Not the most thrilling card, but I’d say course and distance winner Abingworth can win the 1:10 from a nice weight, and Art of Diplomacy to win the big race of the day.

JO: In the Novice Chase at 2.23, I really like Cobra Queen around the 15/8 mark. An Irish raider from Henry De Bromhead, he looks to have plenty to offer, and the odds-on favourite looks vulnerable to this fast-improving horse.

The National fences are in action at Aintree on Saturday. Any fancies on their Grand Sefton card?

SD: Vintage Fizz, if ridden with more vigour, looks a big price on last year's effort. Mahons Glory looks a big price too.⁠

AS: The Sefton (2:40) looks a cracking renewal. Venetia Williams won the Charlie Hall last week and could win this with Frero Banbou this week.

HF: In the 1:30, a Novice Limited Handicap Chase, I think Andy Amo is a decent bet at 11/4. This horse had a good novice season over hurdles and now moves over to fences. Further up in trip, I think should prove a positive, and they could be in for an exciting season with this one. I also thought Champagne Twist, given how tough a season he had last year, may need Saturday's run and Hidden History for the Skelton stable would want it softer.

DW: Sam Thomas' yard is absolutely flying, especially with horses making seasonal reappearances. Our Power is 2LBs better off with King Turgeon, ran a promising race in the National over these fences and has a great record fresh. Looks like a strong each-way play. Dunstall Rambler also has significant experience over the larger obstacles compared to most of his opposition, and is off a low weight here. He's already had a run this season, and the trainer won this race in 2017 and 2021. Looks to be an each-way bet in the 2:05.

JO: Frero Banbou (2.40) looks a rock-solid each-way bet at anything around 9/1. Venetia Williams trains, and this was placed in the same race last year. We all know how Venetia operates at this time of year!

It's the final day of the flat season at Doncaster, who host the November Handicap. What are you backing?

SD: I’ll Dutch Miller Spirit, who is 23lbs better with last year's winner, and Oneforthegutter, who ran a mighty race in this last year.⁠

AS: Runners galore across the card. I think Circe can run well in the 1:25. Running with much credit since his mid-season break, the ground is fine, and he's a massive price.

HF: In the 3:10, the Gillies Fillies’ Stakes, I am willing to forgive Elwateen. It’s been a tricky season for her since a brilliant reappearance fourth in the 1000 Guineas. She ran in the Oaks, which didn’t suit at all, seemingly struggling to stay the mile and a half. She's run twice since at Newmarket, disappointing in the Falmouth, then most recently finishing fourth in a listed race over a mile again. She was hampered around a furlong and a half out, got going again and finished fourth. I think up in trip at this level is perfect for her, and she should go close.

DW: If settling slightly better, I think Atherstone Warrior is a horse in form and should enjoy the ground. That would be my each-way bet in the big race.

JO: In the November Handicap at 3.40, I'll be backing Master Vitner each-way, four places. This is always a very competitive race. The selection has got in with a few pounds to spare, should act on the ground and trainer Ralph Beckett had the winner of this last year.

Anything else taking your eye on a typically busy Saturday?

SD: Be sure to tune in Saturday AM on the Races Now X feed to find out. As a teaser, though, Anna Swan should go well in the Gillies Stakes. Danielle has become disappointing, and I'm keen to oppose her.⁠

AS: Hopewell Rock looks to have a perfect profile for the November Handicap at Doncaster (3:45). Lightly campaigned this year, trip fine, ground fine, and Billy The Kid doing the steering.

HF: In the Grand Sefton, one at a big price is Vintage Fizz at 20/1. Second in this race last season off 3lbs higher, the winner that day, King Turgeon, is battling for favouritism but runs off 10lbs higher mark. The selection is inconsistent, but I think it can run well at a price under Sam Twiston-Davies

DW: Up at Kelso, price dependent, but I think Walks The Talk can win the opening novice race. Hopefully, I can get an each-way price about The Navigator, while I think Dare To Shout can follow up previous success at 1:17!

JO: I'll have to pass on that one at the time of writing, but we'll see how the markets develop!

What is your favourite thing about going racing in the UK?

SD: The betting ring, the parade ring, seeing friends and seeing the horses close up. The UK’s racecourses are so eclectic, and I don’t mind the driving – as you can probably tell.⁠

AS: The fact that you can get up close to the majestic animals at the centre of the show. It really is mesmerising seeing horses walk five feet in front of you for the first time. That's what gets you hooked as a youngster.

HF: I think seeing top-class horses in the flesh will always be my favourite thing about racing. There is an aura about seeing a Galopin Des Champs or an Ombudsman right in front of your eyes that you don't get with other sports.

DW: I love everything about going racing in the UK. But my favourite thing is probably going to the paddock and getting close to the horses and jockeys. Especially at compact courses like Hexham and Cartmel, it’s very rare in professional sport to get so close to the competitors.

JO: I love the social side of it. Meeting faces old and new, it really is a special atmosphere among the racing community.

Throwing in one of SD's favourite topics to finish. Who is your best bet for the Cheltenham Festival at this early stage?

SD: Too early. Get stuffed.⁠

AS: Sir Gino would be the one I'm most looking forward to, but would I make him a best bet at this stage? Maybe not. Even to a flat racing fan like me, he was electric last Christmas and one I want to watch whenever he runs. 4/1 for the Champion Chase, for the record.

HF: At this stage, for the majority of races, we haven’t seen enough to make any kind of opinion. I have to be looking at the Champion Hurdle. I can’t work out how The New Lion is favourite. Last season, in his two Grade 1 victories, he beat The Yellow Clay (Stayers' Hurdle campaign this year), Final Demand and Wendigo (Browns campaign this year). It may not be sexy, but State Man at 7/1 to me looks a decent bet. He should’ve won the race last season and I can’t see the upcoming renewal being much stronger– if at all. Paul Townend has never hidden his love for State Man and will most likely ride him, even if Lossiemouth does run.

DW: Nothing particularly stands out to me at the moment, but one horse I do think is overpriced is Libberty Hunter for the Champion Chase at 100/1. Sir Gino has health questions, Majborough can’t jump, Jonbon and II Etait Temps are better away from Cheltenham...then you have a host of horses who won’t run or aren’t good enough. Captain Guinness ran into a place rated 157 not so long ago, and Quilixios was upsides. Only 6/7 pounds to find on the ratings, which is feasible with another handicap win. He loves Cheltenham and was going fine last year before falling – ridden cold, this one could definitely run on into a place.

JO: The Champion Chase interests me. This race cuts up every year, and I can't have Sir Gino with its health record. The one that I like and at an incredible price (if it runs) is Il Est Francais. With its speed of jumping, I don't think those who turn up would live with it. There's a little bit of 100s left on the machine and generally 40/1 with the shops. Win only, as if it runs, it wins! The other play, in the same race, is Libberty Hunter, who was going well last year before falling. 180/1 on the machine and 100/1 in the shops. I'd also mention Lulamba for the Arkle at 9/2.